AVTCP Exotic Companion Animal Skills List
A minimum of 80% of the skills must be mastered. Skills must be cross referenced in your case logs.
Mastery is defined as to be able to perform a task consistently and competently
without being coached or directed no less than 4 times.
Mastery requires having performed the task in a wide variety of patients and situations.
Husbandry Requirements
Skill
1.
2.
3.
4.
Case Log
Vet or VTS
Number(s) Signature
Ability to recognize and identify different species of both
common and rare avian and exotic pets
Mastery of husbandry requirements for the most common
avian and exotic species including, but not limited to
nutritional requirements, caging/housing, substrate,
temperatures, humidity, lighting, grooming, bathing,
foraging, enrichment, etc.
Expertise in the application of husbandry requirements in
the hospital setting to maximize patient care and comfort
Proficiency in the education of clients and coworkers in the
proper care of individual species of avian and exotic pets
General Nursing
Skill
5.
Perform a comprehensive physical exam: identify
normal/abnormal eyes, ears, nares, oral, vent, choana, heart/
and lung sounds, pain assessment, body condition score,
hydration status
6. Recognize signs of respiratory failure, shock
7. Accurately and efficiently triage patients presenting for
emergent conditions
8. In association with other medical team members, administer
CPR, evaluate effectiveness, and troubleshoot therapy
9. Thorough knowledge of substances that, when ingested,
result in toxicity
10. Efficient and accurate calculation of drug doses, solutions,
and IV fluid rates
11. Demonstrate thorough knowledge of metric conversions
12. Mastery of venipuncture in healthy, sick, and/or debilitated
animals.
13 Mastery of jugular and peripheral IV catheter placement in a
variety of sites in healthy sick, and/or debilitated animals
Case Log
Vet or VTS
Number(s) Signature
14. Mastery of intraosseous catheterization in a variety of sites
in healthy, sick, and/or debilitated animals
15. Set up and maintain an IV fluid pump and syringe pump and
be able to troubleshoot equipment malfunction
16. Mastery of various methods of centesis (cysto, percutaneous,
and abdominal/coelomic)
17. Proficiency in placement and maintenance of a urinary
catheter in ferrets, rabbits, and guinea pigs (male and
female)
18. Proper placement and/or maintenance of at least two (2) of
the following types of enteral feeding tubes: nasogastric,
esophageal, gastric, jejunal, crop/proventricular
19. Properly administer blood products, including obtaining
donor blood and monitoring techniques throughout the
transfusion
20. Set up and perform non-invasive blood pressure monitoring,
evaluate blood pressure status, and troubleshoot equipment
malfunction
21. Set up and monitor heart rate and rhythm with ECG
monitoring, recognize normal and abnormal tracings, and
troubleshoot equipment malfunction
22. Set up a pulse oximeter, evaluate oxygen status, and
troubleshoot equipment malfunction
23. Administration of fluids and medications via various
parenteral administration sites (IM, SC, ICe, IV, IO)
Anesthesia/Analgesia
SKILL
24. Assign appropriate ASA status after reviewing patient
history, PE, and diagnostic results in collaboration with a
veterinarian
25. In collaboration with a veterinarian, determine appropriate
anesthetic and peri-anesthetic protocols to provide effective
pain management and maximum anesthetic safety and
effectiveness
26. Perform local and regional nerve blocks
27. Evaluate the effects of common pre-anesthetic, induction,
and maintenance drugs
28. Evaluate and respond to adverse reactions to and/or
complications from pre-anesthetic, induction, and
maintenance drugs
29. Implement appropriate pre-oxygenation technique and
know rationale with regards to species, anemia, etc
Case Log
Number(s)
Vet or VTS
Signature
30. Mastery of endotracheal intubation and tube placement with
regard to size, length, safe technique, and when to use cuffed
vs. non-cuffed tubes in routine and emergent situations
31. Thorough knowledge of the risks associated with intubation
and the appropriate steps to avoid these risks
32. Set up a capnograph end-tidal CO2 monitor, evaluate
ventilation status, and troubleshoot equipment malfunction
33. Set up a continuous respiratory rate monitor, evaluate
respiratory rate status, and troubleshoot equipment
malfunction
34. Perform manual intermittent positive pressure ventilation
with an anesthesia breathing bag and evaluate its
effectiveness
35. Set up ventilator, calculate appropriate tidal volume and
respiratory rate, and troubleshoot machine as needed
36. Set up and monitor temperature (esophageal, rectal,
external), evaluate patient status, and troubleshoot machine
malfunction
37. Implement techniques to prevent
hypothermia/hyperthermia and resolve these issues by
safely and effectively using devices such as warm air
blankets, circulating water blankets, IV fluid warmers,
radiant heating devices, and incubators pre and post
surgically
38. Monitor and evaluate patient status and anesthetic depth
using established parameters such as outward involuntary
physical response (i.e. jaw tone, palpebral reflex, eye
position), blood pressure, ECG, pulse oximetry, heart rate,
respiratory rate, and ventilation status
39. Administer and evaluate the effects of IV fluid (crystalloid
and colloid) and blood component therapy during anesthesia
40. Ability to assess appropriate extubation time with regard to
various species, (such as reptiles versus ferrets),
regurgitation/aspiration, and emergence from anesthesia
41. Set up, maintain, and troubleshoot a non-rebreathing system
42. Set up, maintain, and troubleshoot a rebreathing system
43. Set up, maintain, and troubleshoot an anesthesia machine
(oxygen tank, vaporizer, CO2 absorbent, scavenger system)
44. Set up, maintain, and troubleshoot an anesthetic induction
chamber
45. Set up, maintain, and troubleshoot a waste gas scavenging
system
Surgical Nursing
Skill
Case Log
Number(s)
Vet or VTS
Signature
Case Log
Number(s)
Vet or VTS
Signature
46. Mastery of the unique and varied individual surgical
nursing requirements of various species (ferrets, small
rodents, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles, etc.)
47. Extensive knowledge of and ability to set up necessary
equipment and supplies for a variety of surgeries (i.e.
reproductive tract, GI tract, ophthalmic, orthopedic, soft
tissue, rigid and flexible endoscopy,
laparoscopy/coeleoscopy) for each species
48. Coordinate the process of preparation, safe use, and
maintenance of suction equipment, radiosurgery,
electrocautery, and laser units
49. Coordinate the process of preparation and positioning of
patients for a variety of surgical procedures (i.e.
reproductive tract, GI tract, ophthalmic, orthopedic, soft
tissue, rigid and flexible endoscopy,
laparoscopy/coeleoscopy) for each species
50. Coordinate pre and post operative care of surgical patients
51. Supervise staff in the care of surgical instruments
52. Supervise staff in proper surgical sterilization procedures
(autoclave, ethelyne oxide, gluteraldehyde, etc.)
Laboratory
Skill
53. Mastery of all basic laboratory testing: PCV, TP, UA, fecal
analysis (direct smears, floats, gram stains, acid fast stains),
external parasite analysis, basic cytology, blood smear
evaluation, and estimated WBC count
54. Utilize, maintain, and troubleshoot in-house hematology
and clinical chemistry analyzers and evaluate results
55. Demonstrate the ability to perform at least 2 different inhouse clotting tests (BMBT, ACT, Platelet evaluation, PT,
APTT)
56. Demonstrate the ability to obtain samples for tests such as,
but not limited to, CBC, clinical chemistries, PCR, serology,
and virology. This includes: appropriate fasting protocols,
correct timing of sample collection, and correct sample
collection and handling
57. Properly collect, handle, and store samples of excretion,
secretion, and effusion for laboratory evaluation
58. Properly collect, handle, and submit cytology and samples
for laboratory evaluation
59. Properly collect, handle, and submit samples for bacterial
and fungal culturing
60. Properly collect, handle, and submit samples for
histopathology
Diagnostic Imaging
Skill
Case Log
Number(s)
Vet or VTS
Signature
Case Log
Number(s)
Vet or VTS
Signature
61. Coordinate the radiographic process by directing team
members to consistently and efficiently produce
radiographs of diagnostic quality
62. Proficiency in evaluating the patient’s condition (medical,
surgical, behavioral) and adapting the radiographic
procedures to those conditions
63. Demonstrate accuracy and efficiency in positioning patients
for a variety of radiographic studies (thorax, abdomen,
spine, skull, extremity, pelvis, dental)
64. Accurate and consistent evaluation and modification of
radiographic technique
65. Perform and/or demonstrate the ability to set up and assist
in contrast studies (i.e. GI studies, double contrast,
cystograms, myelograms) including the set up of necessary
equipment, patient preparation, and administration of
contrast media
66. Ability to maintain radiograph cassettes, radiology
processor and develop radiographs properly
67. Ability to utilize, troubleshoot, and manipulate technique
using digital radiology
68. Demonstrate the ability to set up, maintain equipment, and
assist with or perform ultrasonography
Dentistry
Skill
69. Thorough knowledge of dental anatomy for all species
(rodent, rabbit, ferret, hedgehog, sugar glider, etc.)
70. Efficiently perform a comprehensive oral exam
71. Readily identify oral pathology and anatomic abnormalities
72. Comprehensive knowledge of how to use and care for
dental hand instruments and power instruments
73. Perform thorough and efficient dental prophylaxis
74. Efficiently and consistently produce dental radiographs of
diagnostic quality
75. Ability to perform and/or assist with rodent/rabbit dental
trimming
76. Ability to maintain and troubleshoot dental machinery and
equipment
Pharmacology
Skill
Case Log
Vet or VTS
Number(s) Signature
77. Extensive knowledge of groups of drugs, their mechanisms,
clinically relevant side effects, and accurate evaluation of
therapeutic responses
78. Extensive knowledge of types of vaccines, their
immunological mechanisms, and adverse vaccine reactions
Behavior
Skill
79. Knowledge of basic behavioral learning concepts (i.e.
punishment, positive reinforcement, rewards, operant
conditioning)
80. Ability to recognize appropriate and inappropriate behaviors
in several species (birds, rabbits, reptiles, etc.) and provide
information to clients regarding current scientifically based
techniques of training, management, and behavior
modification
81. Familiarity with a variety of training tools and their uses
82. Train practice staff in recognizing and managing aggressive
behavior in the practice setting (i.e. use of proper restraint
techniques, muzzles, sedation, etc.)
Case Log
Vet or VTS
Number(s) Signature
Leadership Roles
Skill
Case Log
Vet or VTS
Number(s) Signature
83. Supervise the creation and maintenance of all appropriate
facility records and logs in compliance with regulatory
guidelines (e.g. radiology, surgery, anesthesia, laboratory,
controlled substances
84. Instruct and supervise staff in the accurate recording of
medical information
85. Manage inventory control
86. Establish and supervise the maintenance of appropriate
sanitation and nosocomial protocols for a veterinary facility
including patient and laboratory areas
87. Educate hospital staff in the recognition and proper handling
and housing of patients with potentially infectious diseases
88. Proficient at developing and providing client education in a
clear and accurate manner at the level the client understands
(i.e. oral and written form including educational handouts)
89. Outstanding interpersonal and public relations skills
90. Skilled application of crisis intervention/grief management
skills with clients
91. Ability to navigate and appropriately/professionally manage
social networking media sites
I, the undersigned, declare that I have read the entire AVTCP application packet. I further attest
that the above-named applicant has achieved the AVTCP definition of mastery for the above
skills that are marked with my signature.
_________________________________________/________________________________________
Printed Name and Degree
Signature
_________________________________________/________________________________________
Printed Name and Degree
Signature
_________________________________________/________________________________________
Printed Name and Degree
Signature
_________________________________________/________________________________________
Printed Name and Degree
Signature
_________________________________________/________________________________________
Printed Name and Degree
Signature
Please provide the names and credentials of all persons who have signed this
form attesting to your mastery of advanced skills in clinical practice.